Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Challenge #177 - A Family Friendly Challenge

Welcome back, and HOLD ONTO YOUR HATS!!! This week, we are blessed enough to have THREE AWESOME SPONSORS. First, we have the PHENOMENAL Craftin' Desert Divas offering one of their awesome high-quality clear stamp sets to one winner, then we have our dear friends from Live & Love Crafts in the UK offering a 10 pound prize to one of our participants across the big pond; and as if that isn't enough, we have an ADORABLE digital sponsor, Deedee's Digis, offering up some of their SWEET images to a third winner. What a GREAT week to play along.

This week's focus scripture is VERY similar to last week's scripture from Psalm 18:46. Worded just slightly differently, it again reminds us of the beauty found in these three words. So beg me if I sound redundant, but once again we hear these three AMAZING words of truth......"THE LORD LIVETH"!! It is proclaimed more than once because it is PROFOUNDLY important in that, Jesus Christ alone, God in human flesh, is the ONLY one who LIVES after death - proving that He truly was the ONLY worthy sacrifice to pay the price for our sinfulness. His blood washes away our sin, makes us new and whole, and HE LIVES to prepare a place for us! This is something that NO other religion can say about their "god". You will hear all the different religions make their claims as to what they believe, and on what they base their faith; but even if they have "nice beliefs", or do good works, ministering to the sick and needy, etc., NONE can say that their god is alive. Jesus Christ, God in human flesh, is the ONLY One who died and yet; HE LIVES! He was SEEN BY HUNDREDS of eye witnesses who personally experienced seeing His death, His burial, and His resurrected body. What a blessing now that we, as Christians, can place our faith in a LIVING GOD. Even back in the days of Moses, the Israelites called Him "the living God" because He alone could CREATE LIFE/GIVE LIFE, and the same is true today. The second part of this verse says "blessed be the rock", and this is a great comfort to us because God is the ONLY One who can give us the qualities of a ROCK (firmness, steadfastness, trustworthiness, immovability and everlasting). He wasn't just "a man" who eventually died and left the world forever (as did the "messengers" of other popular faiths). Again, Jesus Christ, God in human flesh, isn't just a man.....HE ALONE IS GOD. No other religion, or other "god" can say this. We serve the ONLY ONE who was, and is, and forever will be.....our perfect living God. This verse ends with the words, "and let the God of my salvation be exalted". Jesus Christ is also the ONLY One who can provide SALVATION (or being saved from our sins and being separated from Him forever in a place called Hell). What a blessing to know that when you place your faith in Jesus Christ, you are able to receive His LIFE, STRENGTH and ETERNAL SALVATION. God is ALIVE, He is our ROCK, and his name is EXALTED as He alone gives us SALVATION and saves us from our sins by simply placing your faith in Him, and in what He did for us on the cross. This particular verse also focuses on EXALTATION. We need to remember to exalt (praise, lift up and call HOLY) the precious name of Jesus. Another verse to comfort us, give us hope, and remind us of His worthiness of our unending praise!

As always, you are welcome to save this week's free scripture/word art file to your computer, but are not required to use it in order to play along in our challenges. We welcome you share your art with us; remembering that Anything Goes as long as it's family-friendly, and uses an encouraging or uplifting sentiment. This includes any type of altered or digital art (not just limited to cards). You may link up to five (5) projects each week. The more you enter, the more you increase your odds of winning. It is our desire that God's Word will be a blessing and encouragement to you each week. If you have any questions about the rules, be sure to read the complete list of rules under our page tab for "Challenge Rules". Because our ultimate goal is to honor God, we have no other choice but to delete any entries that do not adhere to these guidelines. Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for your understanding and participation!

What a beautiful devotion!! I love WAW and everything about it, But I especially love reading Karen's Devotion every Wednesday and being able to link up and have this to offer people that visit my blog. Gods word does no go out void, WAW helps to fulfill the commission to send the gospel to all the ends of the earth. There is no way in this life we can know just how far this reaches. Each DT member and every poster using scripture reaches somewhere delivering the gospel, cheering and encouraging, week after week, I can't even grasp the exponential of this - I don't even think I can spell it!! Well done everyone!! Hugs, Ginny

Congrats to the winners and Awesome sponsors as well. The DT has done an Amazing job on their projects.Wonderful scripture. I want to thank the DT for leaving wonderful comments on y blog and the beautiful scriptures as well.Have a wonderful day,Millie Crafting With Creative M